Key tag

ABSTRACT

A tag to be carried on a key chain includes finger adjustable members to position numbers within a pair of viewing windows relating to start and finish mileages, respectively, for a motor trip.

I Umted States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,763,820 Sage Oct. 9, 1973 [541 KEY TAG 2,537,598 1/1951 Mason 116/133 [76] Inventor: Jim Sage, 2112 Strand, Manhattan Beach, Callf 90266 3,596,390 8/1971 Scalice 40/65 [22] Filed: Feb. 3, 1972 Appl. No.1 223,169

US. Cl 116/135, 40/65, 235/69 Int. Cl. G09f 5/00 Field of Search 116/135,130,131, 116/133, 114', 40/65, 70, 330; 235/78, 90,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bushfield 235/124 Primary Examiner-Louis .1. Capozi Att0rneyGeorge J. Netter et a1.

ABSTRACT A tag to be carried on a key chain includes finger adjustable members to position numbers within a pair of viewing windows relating to start and finish mileages, respectively, for a motor trip.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures KEY TAG The present invention relates generally to key tags, and, more particularly, to such tags providing selective numerical indications for use as a mileage logging device by a motorist.

A primary object and aim of this invention is to provide a key tag of simplified construction having a mileage indicating device incorporated therewith'exhibiting two sets of numbers, representing starting and finishing mileage respectively, which are not readily changed inadvertently. By carrying this tag on a key ring including the keys for the motor vehicle, the mileage logging device is thereby at hand at all times during which it would normally be desired for use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled key tag and mileage logging device operatively associated with a key chain.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the assembled key tag and mileage logging device.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational depiction of the tag back plate showing number securing openings.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a further sectional, elevational view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2 at 90 to FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to FIG. 1, the tag of the present invention is shown connected with a key 11 via a length of chain 12. More particularly, and with additional reference to FIG. 2, the tag is seen to comprise a generally flat, disclike construction having a plurality of number positioning members or knobs 13 which are manipulable to set selective numerical indications in the two windows 14 and 15. The further identifications of START and FINISH are applied to the windows 14 and 15, respectively, and refer to the start and finish" mileage of a motor vehicle during use for mileage tallying or logging.

Although the circular shape illustrated for the preferred embodiment possesses certain advantages such as not having corners to catch in the pockets, it is not meant to be limitative on the invention. In fact, the outline geometry may be square, rectangular, or of any other desired configuration.

As shown best in FIG. 4, the tag 10 body includes a front disc plate 16 having six spaced, parallel slotted sions as to permit its receipt for limited extent within an opening when the slide is juxtaposed to the backplate as shown in FIG. 3.

In assembly, the slides 21 are laid next to the back surface of the front plate 16 with the rivets extending through the slotted openings 17, the slides being so oriented that the slide numerals can be seen in the windows as they are moved parallel with the slotted openings. The knobs 13 are then secured to the outer ends of the rivets after which the back-plate I8 is secured to the front plate over the slides by any suitable means.

The front and back plates and slides are so configured and dimensioned that when assembled the slides may be adjustably positioned by moving the knobs along the slotted openings to provide any desired number in each of the six number positions for viewing at the windows 14, 15. Moreover, the projecting rivet heads lockingly engage the openings 20 to temporarily secure selected number settings for the slides and inopenings 17 therein, all at the same side and extending at ninety degrees from the windows 14 and 15 with three such openings associated with each window. A back or locking plate 18 of substantially identical geometry to plate 16 has six parallel rows 19 of nine openings 20 each which are so arranged that when the two plates are sandwiched together, as will be described, the individual rows of openings are each in registry with a respective slotted opening 17.

Six elongated, rectangular number slides 21 are provided, one for each slotted opening, and each having the numerals 0-9 arranged in a lengthwise series along one surface. The slides are of such width that three of them side by side provide three numerals substantially filling a window l4, 15. At one end of each slide there is formed an opening for receiving a pin or rivet 22 having a protruding or projecting head 23 of such dimensure against inadvertent changing of a selected mileage indication.

As a means to insure the projections 23 will seat in the openings 20, the slides are made a slight lengthwise bow or arcuateness so that when assembled, and thus flattened out as shown in FIG. 3, the end of the slide carrying the knobs 13 are pressed against the back plate due to the inherent resiliency of the material of which the slides are constructed.

Although the means for adjusting the position of the number slides is shown as comprising a knob and rivet, it is contemplated that the entire slide may be of molded plastic including a projection corresponding to 23 and a lever arm means shaped to extend through the slotted openings 17.

The front and back plates may be constructed of any number of different materials, such as metal for example; however, it is deemed that these members may be constructed of molded plastic most simply and assembly by either heat sealing, or through the use of a suitable cementitious material.

To use the tag described herein for logging mileage for a motor trip, at the outset of the trip, the last three digits (hundreds, tens and units) of the odometer are entered in the START window. At the trip conclusion, the final odometer reading is entered in the FINISH window and the mileage record for the trip is thus available on the tag for subsequent subtraction at any convenient time.

The present invention can be advantageously used by a motorist for a number of different purposes. For ex ample, salesmen can keep accurate record of car mileage for tax and other reporting purposes. Where several optional routes between two locations are available, the device of this invention may be utilized, to determine the shortest route. Car gas consumption may be readily monitored with the subject device also.

As described herein, reference is made to a key chain" 12 which interrelates one or more keys 1 l to device 10. Other means than a chain are frequently used in this construction, such as spring clips and springloaded clevis shaped devices, for example, and where the terms chain or key chain" are used, it is to be understood that all such similar or equivalent devices are contemplated.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination of a tag having a numerical indicating device and a key chain, comprising:

a front plate having a plurality of parallel slotted a back plate of geometry closely approximating that of said front plate and affixed to said front plate with a space therebetween said back plate including a plurality of sets of equally spaced openings arranged in lines of nine openings each registering respectively with the slotted openings;

one elongated resilient striplike slide for each slotted opening having numerals through 9 consecutively arranged on a surface thereof received within the space between the front and back plates with the numerals facing toward the front plate said slide being adapted for sliding movement within said space in a direction parallel to the slotted openings, whereby said numerals are consecutively displayed through said window openings;

a single projection means on the surface of each slide facing the back plate for engaging the openings in the back plate and of such dimensions as to permit full receipt within each of said openings for temporarily securing the positioning of slides; and

separate knoblike means affixed to the end of each slide and extending outwardly through the associated slotted opening adapted for hand manipulation to position the slides along the slotted openings and present any desired numeral in the window openings;

each of said striplike slides being initially bowed about a transverse axis, such that when received within the space between the front and back plates. said slides will be biased to resiliently contact said back plate. 

1. The combination of a tag having a numerical indicating device and a key chain, comprising: a front plate having a plurality of parallel slotted openings arranged in two equal numbered sets, and a pair of window openings arranged at a common end of said slotted openings, one window opening being substantially coextensive with one set of said slotted openings and the other window opening being coextensive with the remaining slotted openings; a back plate of geometry closely approximating that of said front plate and affixed to said front plate with a space therebetween said back plate including a plurality of sets of equally spaced openings arranged in lines of nine openings each registering respectively with the slotted openings; one elongated resilient striplike slide for each slotted oPening having numerals 0 through 9 consecutively arranged on a surface thereof received within the space between the front and back plates with the numerals facing toward the front plate said slide being adapted for sliding movement within said space in a direction parallel to the slotted openings, whereby said numerals are consecutively displayed through said window openings; a single projection means on the surface of each slide facing the back plate for engaging the openings in the back plate and of such dimensions as to permit full receipt within each of said openings for temporarily securing the positioning of slides; and separate knoblike means affixed to the end of each slide and extending outwardly through the associated slotted opening adapted for hand manipulation to position the slides along the slotted openings and present any desired numeral in the window openings; each of said striplike slides being initially bowed about a transverse axis, such that when received within the space between the front and back plates, said slides will be biased to resiliently contact said back plate. 